Hollow points vs fmj

[SilentCedars]

Which would you carry in your handgun for protection from animals, "bears" hollowpoints or fmj?

 

[FLAK]

Hardcast, FMJ as a 2nd choice.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Heavy hard cast seems to be the consensus for most. buffalo boar and a few other makers are preferred brands.

make sure to test them in your gun. Some have reported feeding issues due to OAL of these bullets due to heavy, longer projectiles.

 

[Felix40]

In my experience it is very difficult to get a quick one shot kill with hollow points. From 357 to 9mm it doesn’t make much difference. Trying to put down an elk or horse with a 9mm and hollow points can be a mess. With fmj or hard cast all you have to do is hit the right spot. Even a solid lead 22 will turn the lights off really quick.

 

[Wapiti1]

Hardcast or solids. I would never use a soft point of any type for bear defense. I want to punch the longest possible hole in that critter I can and break any bones possible.

Jeremy

 

[Wrench]

Here's a 200 xtp after 16" ride through a bear 's head and shoulders. I fully intended to have a 200gr hardcast in there....but things happened fast that day.

 

[Rich M]

I load 357 mag. For penetration I'd do an AFrame bullet or hard cast.

Shot a 600#+ bull thru forehead and found bullet down a ways in neck. 357 mag, AFrame 158 gr. Dumped him like a sack of taters.

For 9mm I'd use one of those all copper x shaped bullets. Those sucker are supposed to keep going and going.

 

[Wrench]

I've been testing the 147 berry's hybrid in 9mm with longshot and been happy with the testing. Beats the gold dot in reliability and matches penetration.